Popular vehicles suffer key security weakness
Darrell Greer's GM van alongside a different model his keys also open.
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Thu. Apr. 28 2005 10:37 AM ET
Drivers confident that by locking their car, no one will be able to get inside might be surprised to learn just how wrong they are.
Toronto-area contractor Darrell Greer recently discovered that the locks on his GM van can be easily opened with keys for another vehicle.
Greer told CTV News he was working on a construction site when he discovered the unexpected 'feature' by accident.
"I sent out a helper and my key opened up somebody else's van. He realized when he opened up the doors it was carpenters' tools not carpet layers."
Although the key wouldn't turn start any other vehicles on the site, Greer quickly learned that it would open the locks on different models of a half-dozen other GM vans and pickups.
Considering his livelihood as a contractor depends on the tools stored in his vehicle, Greer said it was a worrying discovery.
"I've got thousands of dollars worth of tools in there. And you can just open the doors and get in. I could lose it all just like that."
But when Greer phoned General Motors to register his concernm, the automaker told him there was little they could do.
"They said there wasn't enough complaints."
According to Automobile Protection Association president George Iny, the problem is not a new one.
In fact, Iny told CTV's Canada AM his agency has heard consumer complaints about apparently deficient vehicle door locks for years -- and knows manufacturers' typical response well.
"Don't worry, be happy, basically. Their position is you shouldn't leave valuables in the vehicle, and it's not their problem."
Iney says that means, unless their vehicle has an audible alarm, Canadians should consider the lock a deterrent to only the most casual thief.
"Somebody with a screwdriver can open many vehicles," he explained.
With files from Canada AM and CTV Toronto's Desmond Brown
Popular vehicles suffer key security weakness
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